Yoga for the Mind

Stress and worry can get the better of us all sometimes, but when it starts to take over yoga could hold the key to regaining control. 

Heather Mason’s Yoga for the Mind courses, designed to be a complementary therapy for tackling and relieving anxiety, stress and depression, offer comfortably small classes, with three areas of concentration – the breath, the body and the mind. 

The setting for my classes was a peaceful, high-ceilinged room in St Saviour’s Church, Chalk Farm (all too conveniently close to Marine Ices – destroyer of best diet-related intentions). Admittedly, I was somewhat nervous, and a little sceptical, about trying yoga again, since my only other experience of it had been crowded and confusing.

This time, I walked into a room of around eight friendly and interested people, and had a completely different impression. Each session began with an explanatory talk on the class theme – these ranged from creating space (in the body/mind/life) to regaining a sense of groundedness.

There followed a sequence of yoga poses (asana), then breathing techniques (pranayama). Next, the group would perform a set activity, for example chanting, yoga nidra or walking meditation (harder than it sounds, and as bizarre to witness as you’d imagine).

Each session wrapped up with a group discussion, the thought of which might understandably strike fear into newcomers, but this part of the class was reassuringly informal, and allowed participants to discuss how elements of the course were (and weren’t) working for them. 

So did it help?

Regular practice of the poses had an almost immediate effect on flexibility, helped to relieve my considerable pre-Christmas tension and gave the muscles a much-needed workout. Strangely enough, it was the most natural activity, the breathing practice, which was the hardest for me to master, but also the one that had the biggest stress-relieving impact at difficult moments during the working week.

Any problems during class were quickly resolved by the instructor and the group environment was comfortable, unpretentious and far from intimidating. Homework and further guidance were issued in the form of an easy-to-follow manual plus audio CDs, which helped to guide beginners through the exercises learned in class; the CDs were particularly helpful for relaxing at home in my own time. In short, we were given tools to help us cope with uncomfortable emotions and moods, and situations of stress. 

There is a certain commitment involved in the course – you need to give it your concentration and make time for the homework – but if you want to feel a positive difference in your physical and mental well-being this could be the right path for you. 

Yoga for the Mind operates at various venues throughout London. Eight week courses cost £200 and include a CD and manual.

Forthcoming dates:

Monday 15 February to Monday 12 April 2010 – Islington Yoga, Angel (10.30am-12.30pm)
Monday 15 February to Monday 12 April 2010 – St. Savior Church, Chalk Farm (6.50 – 8.50pm)
Thursday 18 February to Thursday 15 April 2010- Special Yoga Centre, Kensal Rise (7.30-9.30pm)

For information on courses and prices visit: www.yogaforthemind.info
Tel: 07988 21323